In a powerful collaboration to address the rising cost of healthcare, Hylant, Parkview Health, and Butler University launched a dynamic, data-driven initiative aimed at identifying the root causes of high healthcare spending. The “Total Cost of Care Data Challenge” kicked off on March 20, 2025, at Butler University, bringing together 10 student teams tasked with analyzing Medicaid patient data provided by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA).

Their mission: uncover key drivers of healthcare costs—such as chronic conditions, social determinants of health, and demographic influences—through actionable, data-backed insights. With Indiana ranking among the top 10 least healthy states and experiencing elevated rates of chronic disease and mortality, the initiative sought to highlight cost-effective strategies to reduce acute care needs and improve outcomes.

On April 8, five finalist teams advanced to present their findings to a panel of judges representing Parkview Health, Butler University, Hylant, Blue Agilis, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, and FSSA. Their presentations tackled complex issues, including:

  • Chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes
  • Behavioral and lifestyle factors such as smoking and falls
  • Disparities in rural vs. urban healthcare access

The teams uncovered several critical insights that highlight both the human and financial impact of preventable health issues across Indiana. Among the most compelling findings were:

  • Senior Falls Are a Major Health Concern in Indiana
    More than 30% of Indiana seniors experience falls each year, making it a leading cause of injury and illness among older adults.
  • Physical Inactivity Is Fueling Chronic Conditions
    Only 1 in 4 adults age 65 and older in the U.S. get enough physical activity, increasing risks for cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer.
  • Fall Risk Assessments Could Save Lives and Cut Costs
    Making annual fall risk assessments a standard part of senior checkups could save the state $115 million and prevent 41 deaths—if just 50% of seniors participated.

The student team recommended expanding fall risk and mobility screenings to begin at age 50 and enhancing Indiana’s All-Payer Claims Database (APCD) with more detailed diagnostic and geographic data. These updates would support more targeted interventions and help reveal disparities in healthcare access and costs between rural and urban populations. Parkview and Hylant could lead the way by piloting early screening programs in underserved communities and advocating for APCD enhancements—demonstrating leadership in reducing preventable healthcare costs and improving outcomes for seniors across the state. These initiatives could serve as a scalable model for population health management, strengthen public-private collaboration, and position Indiana as a national leader in proactive, data-informed healthcare innovation. Ultimately, the goal is for Indiana legislators to revise Medicaid guidelines so that age alone qualifies seniors for fall risk assessments.

Next up: The “Healthy Care, Healthy Costs Innovation Challenge”

Building on the momentum from the data challenge and past successful innovation challenges, Parkview Health is proud to evolve its focus for the fifth iteration of its global innovation effort.

In partnership with Hylant and Butler University, the upcoming “Healthy Care, Healthy Costs Innovation Challenge” will center on bold, evidence-informed solutions targeting the key cost drivers identified during the April data challenge. Innovators from around the world will be invited to propose scalable interventions that improve health outcomes while lowering total healthcare spend.

Parkview has established a track record of bold steps to reduce healthcare costs. Since 2020, Parkview has renegotiated contracts with major health insurance companies, yielding $1.1 billion in total rate reductions.

Learn more about innovation at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation: https://www.parkview.com/mirro-center/innovation